NHL still seeking denial from players association

BUFFALO, N.Y.  The NHL has given the players association one more chance to deny claims its threatening to decertify agents that represent replacement players.

Associated Press

Published 1:00 am, Saturday, April 2, 2005

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, NHL Vice President Bill Daly asked the union to provide written confirmation by Friday that it has no intention of punishing agents. Barring a response, Daly said the NHL is prepared to file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.

This is the second time in a week the league has asked the union to disavow reported threats it has made to punish player agents.

The NHLPAs initial response came in a letter  also obtained by The AP  submitted by union lawyer Ian Pulver on Wednesday. In a two-paragraph statement, Pulver wrote the NHLPA had no intention at this time to change the agent-certification rules.

Daly, in his letter Thursday addressed to Pulver, called that response "insufficient" and referred to what he called "the widespread perception that the NHLPA has threatened agents."

"Your letter does not address our underlying concern ... that you have engaged (and, by all accounts, continue to engage) in conduct" that violates the National Labor Relations Act, Daly wrote.

The NHLPA did not immediately respond to a message.

The NHL has said it would explore the use of replacement players if a new deal cant be reached in time for next season.

The former collective bargaining agreement expired last September and resulted in a lockout that canceled the season.

The two sides have scheduled labor talks for Monday at an undisclosed location.

In an e-mail message earlier this week, Daly said that besides media reports of the unions threats, "We also have a number of other sources who have confirmed to us the veracity of what has been reported."

Under the expired collective bargaining agreement, NHL teams were only allowed to negotiate with individual players or players represented by agents certified by the NHLPA. The union must provide 60 days notice to the NHL of its intentions to change the certification process.

The NHL, last week, filed an unfair labor practice charge with the national board, accusing the union of violating its members rights by asking players to repay their lockout stipend  ranging between $5,000 and $10,000 a month  if they choose to become replacement players.